Jeff Atwater Recognizes Year's Best in Fire and Rescue Services

Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater recognized the Coral Springs Fire Academy and 11 fire- and rescue-service personnel for exceptional dedication to fire and rescue services during the past year.

These men and women are true leaders, role models and heroes who put their lives at risk every time they respond to a fire call, CFO Atwater stated in a release.

Those honored were:

• Fire Inspector of the Year: Roy Isakson, Midway Fire District.
• Fire Instructor of the Year: Gil Aspinwall, South Walton Fire District.
• Forestry Firefighter of the Year: Tim Hawks, Division of Forestry in Vero Beach.
• Fire Marshal of the Year: Ed Riley, Collier County Fire District.
• Professional Firefighter of the Year: Nate Spera, St. Lucie County Fire Department.
• Career Firefighter of the Year: Eric Stokes, Tampa Fire Rescue.
• Fire Chief of the Year: Michael Tucker, Okahumpka Volunteer Fire Department.
• Fire Investigator of the Year: Murray McDonald, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations.
• Chad Reed Emergency Manager of the Year: Roger Hagan, Washington County Department of Emergency Management.
• Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year: David Pearson, Nassau Oaks Volunteer Fire Department.
• Volunteer Firefighter of the Year: Scott Mann, West Sebring Volunteer Fire Department.
• Training Center of the Year: Coral Springs Fire Academy, accepted by Michael McNally, chief training officer.